Software Update Instructions for HERO3 Cameras

This article instructs you how to update your HERO3 camera's software. You will use this process if you are updating to a newer camera software version or if you are re-updating to the existing version already on your camera.

Some reasons that you'd want to manually re-update the camera's software would be (1) if your camera freezes on the video camera icon right when you power it on, (2) the GoPro App isn't connecting to the camera or showing live preview, or (3) you want to change your camera's Wi-Fi name and password.

Here’s how to update your HERO3 camera’s software:

Go to the HERO3 Software Update page and click the "Start Update" button in the HERO3+ or HERO3 camera update section. Fill in all of the information on the first page including serial number, name, and email address. Next, select what type of update you want to do. You have the following options:

Wi-Fi & Software Update

Wi-Fi Update Only

Software Update Only

If you are not sure which one you need, it is best to select Wi-Fi & Software Update. The rest of these instructions will assume that you are using the Wi-Fi & Software Update option. If you are using one of the other options, your procedure will only be a portion of the listed steps below.

After you have selected your update type, click Next Step.

Step 1 – Prepare Camera:

To prepare the camera for the update, please do the following:

Insert a blank MicroSD card. To ensure that it is blank be sure to reformat your SD card either in the camera or on your computer with a card reader.

Power ON your HERO3

Check battery levels. The battery level indicator should show at least 2 bars.

Connect your camera to the computer.

Step 2 - Set Up Wireless

Note: If you chose the Software Update Only option, you will not go through this step.

This is the step where you create your camera’s name and Wi-Fi password. If your camera has had trouble connecting to the GoPro App in the past, renaming the camera and resetting its password can clear up the issue.

Here are password requirements:

Your password must be at least 8 characters. It can contain the following characters: Lower and upper case letters, numbers 0-9, at symbol "@", dash "-", and underscore "_".

Step 3 – Download Update Folder

This is the step where you download the update files to your computer. Simply click the "Download Update File" button and your update will be downloaded.

Step 4 - Move Update File to MicroSD Card

This is the step where you will place the update files on your SD card and update the camera. We’ll walk you through the steps:

1. Locate the UPDATE.zip folder that you just downloaded

Depending on your operating system you will find the UPDATE.zip file in different locations. if you are unsure of where it is you can just perform a file search to locate it.

2. Unzip UPDATE.zip

This is important. The update will not work if you place this entire zip folder on the MicroSD card. After you unzip this file it will create an UPDATE folder.

3. Locate the Update files

Within the UPDATE folder you will see the update files. Do not double-click on any of these files.

4. Double-check that you have the correct files for your camera:

Once you’ve unzipped the Update.zip folder on your Mac or Windows computer, you’ll see a new window open with your software update files in it. There will be 4 files if you set up your camera’s name and Wi-Fi password in “Step 2 - Set Up Wireless”. If chose to perform the Software Update Only option, there will be 3 files. Here’s a list of the files you’ll see for your camera. Remember; do not double-click on any of these files.

HERO3: White Edition:

HD3.01-firmware.bin

WF3.01-app.bin

update.cmd

settings.in (Note – You will NOT have this file if you did a Software Update Only download)

HERO3: Silver Edition:

HD3.02-firmware.bin

WF3.02-app.bin

update.cmd

settings.in (Note – You will NOT have this file if you did a Software Update Only download)

HERO3: Black Edition:

HD3.03-firmware.bin

WF3.03-app.bin

update.cmd

settings.in (Note – You will NOT have this file if you did a Software Update Only download)

5. Put the software update files on your SD card.

Now you need to put all 4 software update files on the root level of your SD card. To do this, you need to open your SD card on your computer by using a card reader or your camera. To open your SD card on your computer with the camera, power on your camera with your SD card inserted, then connect your camera to your computer.

Next, locate your SD card in your “Computer” window if you’re on Windows or your “Finder” window if you’re on a Mac. Your SD card will be named something like “Removable Disk (E:)”, “NO NAME” or “UNTITLED”. Open your SD card by double-clicking on it. A window will open that shows you the contents of your SD card. Next, drag all 4 software update files we listed above into the empty space in the middle of SD card window. If you see MISC and DCIM folders in the SD card window, put the files next to those two folders, NOT inside them. The files will copy over, and you should then see them in the window.

6. Safely eject your SD card:

To do this, locate your SD card in your “Computer” window if you’re on a PC or your “Finder” window if you’re on a Mac. Right-click on your SD card and click “Eject”. If your camera is connected to the computer, physically disconnect your camera from the computer, and make sure the camera is powered OFF.

Last Step: Update Camera

If it isn’t already, insert the SD card in the camera while it’s powered OFF and disconnected from the computer. Next, power ON your camera with it still disconnected from the computer. The update will begin automatically.

Once the camera beeps and turns itself OFF, power it back ON by pressing the Power button one time. You should see 00 on the file counter, indicating that your camera's software update was successful and your camera is ready to use.